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How To Open RAR Files On Android to Unload Your Packages

Are you used to opening RAR files on your computer, but you can’t figure it out on an Android? Do you even know what

Do you even know what an RAR file is?

RAR files are compressed archive files which have become quite popular over the years. RAR files (.rar extension) are widely used on PCs running the Windows but are becoming more common on smartphones. The RAR format allows you to reduce the size of several different files and consolidate the data into a single file.

Most of us treat our Android devices like PCs because the Android platform can do almost everything that a PC can do. However, Android devices do not have a default way of opening these RAR files.

But you might want to watch a movie or listen to music packaged in a RAR file. Luckily, third party applications and solutions are what make Android such an incredible mobile platform. There are many apps out there that open RAR files in a few seconds. However, not all decompression apps are created the same.

The difficulty lies in handling split archives, various types of formats, and encryption and/or password protection. Here are some of the best apps you can use to open RAR files directly on your Android phone, and most offer built-in file management.

Time: 5 Minutes

Method 1: RAR App

This app is quite comprehensive, allowing you to compress, archive, extract, explore, and manage your files. It can even help you repair damaged files. Not only can it help you unpack RAR, ZIP, TAR, GZ, BZ2, XZ, 7z, ISO, and ARJ files, but it can also help you to create RAR and Zip files. And the app is free!

Install App

You can download it using the Google Play button below.

Download RAR for Android

Open App

Tap on the app and navigate to the directory where your RAR is saved. The main window contains the list of files and folders. The top tab contains the total versus unused storage space on your SD card, or it can also contain the packed and unpacked sizes for archives.The icon to the top-left that is made of 3 horizontal lines is a navigation panel where you can go to access your SD card or downloads, or issue the main RAR commands. Using levels (such as Up One Level) allows you to navigate back and forth between folders and their subfolders.

Located in the top-left corner is the menu icon (3 vertical dots) that you can visit to repair, test, or send files. There is an option to remove all advertisements from the app, but it requires that you pay.

Open RAR

Tap on the folder or file of your choice.

You can now browse or archive its contents.

Tapping on the file is usually sufficient to open the file with its affiliated program. For instance, once the RAR folder is tapped, it then display three .png files that open in My Gallery when those files are pressed.

The buttons above the list also allow you to add your selected files to the archive (icon with the plus sign), extract to unpack the chosen file(s) (icon with the up arrow), or delete files (trash can symbol).

Long-pressing any file or folder will also give you options to create an archive, add to an existing archive, copy to clipboard, cut, start a new folder, delete or rename.

How did this work for you?

Method 2: Easy Unrar, Unzip, and Zip

This is another popular app on the Android OS, which lets you decompress and open archived/compressed RAR and Zip files directly on your Android device. With over 5 million downloads, the app lets you open all types of RAR files. The app also supports multi- compression and single compression along with the ability to display files without actually decompressing it. Aside from that, the app lets you extract individual files from RAR file without actually extracting everything.

Additionally, Easy Unrar, Unzip, and Zip supports archives protected by a password. It can even handle files that are fragmented. A 710 MB .rar movie file can be extracted using a 1.6 GHz processor in as little as one minute and fourteen seconds. Is it perfect? No. It cannot overwrite existing files. It is specifically for files in a .zip or .rar format, so if you are dealing with other types of files, you will need to use other methods.

Install App

Download the Easy Unrar, Unzip and Zip app on your Android device. You can download it using the Google Play button below.

Download Easy Unrar, Unzip & Zip

Open app

Once installed, open the app through your app drawer and browse to the directory where your RAR file is saved.

Select File

Tap on the RAR file to select it. You can also select multiple RAR files.

Extract and Open

Next, click on Open Archive to open the RAR file and view the contents inside. You can select the individual files that you want to extract and click on the Extract file

Once extracted, you can open the file through the same app or any other file manager by simply tapping on it. Alternatively, you can also click on Extract All Here after you select your RAR file. This will extract everything in the RAR file in the same directory.

How did this work for you?

Method 3: AndroZip File Manager

With over 10 million downloads, AndroZip File Manager is probably one of the best productivity apps currently available on the Google Play Store. It is possibly one of the best compressed file managers, and it supports over six different compression formats including Zip and RAR files. In addition to letting you open RAR files, AndroZip File Manager lets you compress, unpack and send archive files directly via email.

AndroZip works with several different kinds of archive files such ZIP, RAR, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, and 7ZIP. It is a free all-in-one solution.

Download AndroZip File Manager

Open App

Tap on Folder or File

There is an option to search for your folder or file. It is located within the menu icon (3 dots) in the upper right-hand corner.

The file you tap does need to be located within the directory (accessible by the Home icon). Search only provides a link; not a direct path. If you downloaded the file recently, your best bet is to go to the Downloads Keep in mind that the order of files is first numerical, then those that start with a capital letter, and then lowercase letters.

Open File or Folder

Tap on the RAR file that you want to open and then click on View Archive. This will open the RAR file and show you the contents inside the file, which you can easily open or extract.

You have the option to Extract file here, which decompresses the file and place contents in this location.

Alternatively, you can also extract the data inside the RAR files anywhere on your device by clicking on Extract To and selecting the desired location where you want the file. Once you are done extracting, you can open the file directly within the app or through any other file manager.

Send allows you to send the file to others or other programs. It will afford you the option of emailing, texting, uploading photos, saving to drive, storing to the cloud, copying to the clipboard, and more.

How did this work for you?

Method 4: B1 Archiver Zip RAR Unzip

B1 Archiver is a popular decompression app that can be used on various types of files, including .zip, .rar, .b1, and 34 other formats. B1s can be translated to 30-plus different languages, and B1 Archiver will allow you to also create your own password-protected .zip and .b1 archives. The catch is that it currently only offers up to 10 free unpacks. Afterward, you must buy more either on an individual basis or by purchasing the Pro Version; you gain unlimited access.

The Pro Version does allow you to open password-protected archives, provided you have the password. A password is not necessary for the B1 Archiver app itself. If you are being prompted for a password, most likely the archive you are trying to access is protected and private. The author of the archive can share that password with you, often on the same page you found the RAR.

However, if none is available and the author won’t share it with you, you could be out of luck. That is, after all, the point of having a password—to keep things a secret as you choose. B1 Archiver will work in the background and show you its progress in your notifications.

Install B1

You must accept terms and conditions.

Download B1 Archiver Zip Rar Unzip

Open the Archiver

The Home screen contains your directory.

Find File

If your RAR file was recently downloaded, an easy way to locate it is by tapping on the Download

The files are listed in numerical, capital letters, and then lowercase alphabetical order.

Extract and Open

Tap on the RAR file that you want to open and then click on View Archive to see details.

You have the option to Extract file here, which decompresses the file and place contents here.

Alternatively, you can also extract the data inside the RAR files anywhere on your device by clicking on Extract To and selecting the desired location where you want the file. Once you are done extracting, you can open the file directly within the app or through any other file manager.

Open With… gives you the option to open the file with a different application, but will not work on RAR files themselves. That’s what this app is for.

How did this work for you?

Conclusion

B1 Archiver is my favorite of these; closely followed by AndroZip and Easy Unrar, Unzip & Zip, and based on the speed of compression and decompression, the number of formats supported, and the handling of complicated tasks. Don’t forget that you can use any of these apps to perform the reverse operation, or to compress files. Most also assist with many other types of files, including the ever-so-popular ZIP file. Now you can enjoy your movies, music, and other files efficiently.

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Comments (36)

This is my first rar experience using android. I downloaded and used all of the apps you listed able plus other. Once extracted I can’t figure how to actually use/open the file that I need. Although my file has a lot of files/folders that come along with it, the main file as a whole is what I need to get into. Please help me as I am extremely lost. If it helps, my file is 12.? large in size.

Hi There,
Installing a game from a RAR file generally implies piracy, and I’m afraid we can’t help you with that here. Thanks for commenting and please let us if there is anything else we can help you with.

Hi mARGZ,
If your RAR archives are corrupt then the only way to get rid of the issue is by repairing it with the use of a repair software. Watch this tutorial which has an explanation to your problem http://youtu.be/T5YbhglNnwg

Hi Anargha,
Have you checked to see if you truly don´t have enough space or if it says that when you do have enough? =-) If your memory is full, try deleting things you don´t need anymore or transferring content to PC (option) to free up some space. Hope this helps. =-)

I am having trouble extracting a downloaded(I stopped the download 3 times) .rar file on my Android device. Each time I tried to extract it, it reads “Parameter error”. Can you please tell me how to fix it?

P.S I am not using any of the listed apps. My phone comes with in-built app for that kinda work.

Hi, Anuj! What is the app you’re using called? Parameter errors typically happen because a .rar file did not download correctly or is too big, but if I know which app you’re using, I may be able to nail down a more specific solution.